Origin
Mentor, OH
Late night in Mentor on Sunday
Local time
12:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 25m
Distance
159.2 mi
256 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mentor, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Heath, OH
Wikimedia Commons
This 159.2-mile drive from Mentor, OH to Heath, OH is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 3 hours and 25 minutes. With 77% of the route on highways, it’s designed for efficient travel, making it an ideal day trip. You'll navigate primarily on the Akron Expressway and I-271 Express, with a segment on US 250. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest to Midwest, Ohio-to-Ohio trip is around $25. Given its manageable length and highway profile, you can easily tackle this in one go without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
79.6 miles from Mentor, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Akron Expressway | 61 mi | 1h 11m |
| US 250 | 33 mi | 43m |
| I 271 Express | 13.9 mi | 17m |
| Cadiz-Harrisville Road | 8.3 mi | 12m |
| Ohio Valley Pike | 7.7 mi | 8m |
| I 271 | 5.1 mi | 5m |
| I 90 | 5 mi | 5m |
| West Main Street | 4.9 mi | 7m |
Step-by-step road directions between Mentor, OH and Heath, OH.
Start on this road
At end of road, turn left onto SR 615
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 271 Express
Merge onto I 271
Keep slight left at fork onto I 271
Take the exit
Merge onto SR 8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 250
Take the exit onto US 250; SR 800
Keep slight left at fork onto US 250; SR 800
Turn left onto US 250
Turn left onto Deersville Avenue
Continue on US 250; SR 9
Continue on US 250
Continue on US 250
Continue on US 250
Continue on US 250
Continue on US 250
Turn right onto US 250
Take the ramp onto SR 767; SR 7 Alt
Merge onto SR 7
Take the exit
Turn right onto SR 7 Scenic
Turn left
Turn left onto Wegee Lane
Continue on CR 48
Arrive at destination
For this 159.2-mile drive, leaving in the morning should help you avoid the bulk of any potential traffic, especially on the Akron Expressway. You'll only have one recommended stop, so plan it strategically for fuel or a quick break. With a duration of 3 hours and 25 minutes, you have flexibility, but consider that the longest stretch without a significant road change is 61 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $25, so a full tank before you depart Mentor is a good idea to ensure you reach Heath without needing an unscheduled stop.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 35 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.6 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Heath, OH than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Mentor, OH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Mentor, OH
This is one driving day of about 159.2 miles and 3h 25m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 79.6 miles from Mentor, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Akron Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 24.2 and 101.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto I 271
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward SR 8 South: Boston Heights, Akron
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto SR 8 / Akron Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 250; SR 800 toward US 36, US 250, SR 800: Dennison-Cadiz, Newcomerstown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 250; SR 800 toward US 250 East, SR 800 South: Cadiz-Dennison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$23.22 one way
$46.44 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.24 | $26.59 | $53.18 |
| premium | $4.79 | $30.02 | $60.04 |
| diesel | $4.30 | $26.98 | $53.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.7 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.8 | 0 | $16.72 | $7.64 |
| Efficient EV | 39.8 | 0 | $13.93 | $6.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.7 | 0 | $22.29 | $10.19 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Mentor on Sunday
Local time
12:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Heath on Sunday
Local time
12:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
70°F
West Chester, OH
80 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 3-hour, 25-minute drive, as 77% of the route consists of high-speed roads like the Akron Expressway and I-271 Express. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 61 miles on the Akron Expressway, offering a consistent pace. While much of the drive is on these main arteries, you'll also have a section on US 250, which may introduce a slightly different road character. Overall, this is a route built for covering ground efficiently rather than for leisurely sightseeing.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Akron Expressway and US 250. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24.2 miles in near I 271.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 159.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 24.2 miles (I 271): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 29.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.8 miles (SR 8 / Akron Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Mentor, OH and Heath, OH, road signs point toward Akron and Newcomerstown.
Akron
Newcomerstown
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 25m. Total distance: 159.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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